Compensating Where it Counts

The Indonesian Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) is recommending an increase in the current Rp. 300,000 (US$33.50) paid to delayed commercial airline passengers.

The chair of BPKN, Suahartini Hadad, said this recommendation includes a request for a revision of Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 77 of 2011 covering the responsibilities of Indonesian air carriers.

“The amount of compensation is small, and not much when compared to the loss suffered by passengers. Delays of three hours or more seldom occur,” said Suahartini.

She went on to explain that under the current regulations airlines are only required to pay passenger compensation when flights are delayed for more than four hours.

She also said further clarification is needed as to whether it is the airline or the airport than declares a flight officially delayed by four hours.

In addition, BKPN has issued a statement declaring rhat the cost of insurance premiums to cover delay and cancellation costs cannot be passed directly to the passengers, but must be included in the official tariff of the airline.

Government regulations dictate levels of compensation to be paid in a wide range of circumstances, including: loss of life, disability, lost luggage, loss of cargo and delayed flights.

BPKN is preparing recommendations on new compensation levels for travelers to be sent soon to the Minister of Transportation.

Speaking on behalf of the flying public, Suahartini said she was very disappointed with the recent discovery of narcotics use among Indonesian cockpit crew working for Lion Air.